Super Secret Alaska Private Trip Thread

“Troy is also confirmed. Now it's just a waiting game to confirm the dates in Feb 09 and then proceed from there.”

“I'm pumped already. I considered the 2008 trip but chickened out.

I've been rolling gear requirements over in my mind already. I assume we have to buy bear spray and fuel upon arrival in Alaska. Looks like I'll get to use my Bearikade.”

“I will be sending all you information that will answer almost every question you have.
Letter #1 will be sent out very soon. as each letter I send will be loaded with information. expect at least 6 to 8 letters to follow during the next year.

All the logistics have already been worked out. Just conforming a few things and getting some other quotes on pricing.
We were so detailed and groomed on this last trip that we had no glitches. Every concievable senario was thought out and dealt with. Food, Gear, Maps, Stores, Beer , flights, sat phone , Beer...uh did I already say that.....etc,....

Dub.....since you are a Camera picture pro...do you have a lense that can zoom in on Dall Sheep approx 1/2 away? The sheep are always above us and what seems like a hundred yards is really a half mile.

Mr Chin Music......you want to fish Grizzly Lake? Yes...Grizzly lake and it is named that because you won't be the only one fishing. This lake is on the route I am looking at.”

“I'm In BABY!!!

Some $#itty SNAFU kept me from the last one but not this time no way!”

“In the process of talking to several bush pilots that can put us near several Peaks, Mt Drum, Mt Wrangell,ie...Volcano, Mt Jarvis, Mt Sanford......all big peaks and will be near an area deep in the Wilderness. Glaciers too.....Fishing, and lots of Game.”

“Been looking at vehicle rentals for one week ....Ford Expedition seats 6 with our gear .....just under 1,200 bucks so iffin we get 6 signed up that's around 200 bucks each. They will not let me reserve on line this far out so I'm calling, Budget, Enterprise etc,...to check......
My thinking is, if we have our own vehicle we have more mobility and can store our travel gear in this vehicle while we are Backpacking.

Also lets us pick each of us up at the Airport and save the 25 bucks each person fee to get us to Hotels...Enables us to purchase GAZ, get around town etc... before we depart from Anchorage.

I also have been looking at the price of airline tickets but cannot get a price say from Bristol VA to Anchorage this far out in advance...

Dates i am looking at first weekend in August to the second weekend. Giving us 5 days out in the back country, and a couple days back in Anchorage. The actuall date will be determined later .”

“As soon as we have 6 confirmed able bodied Backpackers we can take this trip to the public and rum it in there noses. Reasoning for a private trip is that last trip I had 21 people who wanted to go and more than half had either no experience or i didn't know them and I had to tell a couple I knew all too well that I didn't think they could do this trip and made a few enemies. So...this time around I won't be stepping on anyone's toes and as soon as we lock in a 6th person we can go NUCLEAR with this trip and if one of the 6 bails out we can post an open slot for the trip. SIX is a good team and will accomodate a SUV for 6 and carry all our gear. Later.....”

“i have talked to Kirk ellis via phone about this trip comming up. Logistics are being worked out with his knowledge of the area.
Trying to get a fix on what route we take up on the Tumbling Creek Mesa from the Jacksina Glacier. This Mesa will give us a view of 5 peaks above 13,000 ft one at 16,000 plus. Possibly a glimpse of the massive Copper River Glacier as well. Also...fishing at Grizzly Lake and Pass creek is on this route.

I am sending Kirk a map as he will out line all his landing areas and mail back to me so we can get a fix on a route and plan.
This trip will have one spectacular VIEW on the Mesa at 6000 ft all above tree line.”

“I keep checking for updates. I don't have much to post though.

I was taken aback at your last post when I saw "5 peaks above 13,000 ft one at 16,000 plus". Then I saw the word "view" in front of it and had a sigh of relief.....heheh”

“Mr Chin Music......you want to fish Grizzly Lake? Yes...Grizzly lake and it is named that because you won't be the only one fishing. This lake is on the route I am looking at.�
Refrigerator
5:34:45 PM
7/23/08

What i meant was....ole GRIZZ may be there.
Sheep Lake ia another 2 miles on our way and from Kirk is saying the best spot is actually a creek called Pass Creek. This is also on our route.”

“I have a "light weight" backpacking-type fishing pole, but with the hard case the pole comes in at 1.5 pounds. I'd like to do better than that.”

“God, I want to go on this trip, and cant for those reasons we discussed Fridge, but i will be aviable to help as much as possible, just ask. My plan is to go for the 2010 trip.”

“Chin/ My pole weighs in at 1lb 9oz and that's with several lures and misc kit.

I am looking at a Fly system maybe for Christmas from my wife. I haven't told her yet. Figuring out how to let her know exactly what i want.”

“Okay....talked to Mrs Spam about it today and I am IN!!!!”

“Okay I read that Troy was confirmed before I posted! That means he is number 6 and that would make me 7! Am I #&%!$ outta luck here???”

“This trip just went nuclear. We have a full team for 09. If antone is interested in making a second team, e mail me asap.”

“Some $#itty SNAFU kept me from the last one but not this time no way!”
Jackstraw
6:50:16 PM
7/24/08

I am going to get my SNAFU repaired September 5 and maybe I will be rehabbed and ready for Team #2.

Hmmmmm, is that the schitty team?”

“Not unless you've changed your name to schitty!!!”

“Dub.....since you are a Camera picture pro...do you have a lense that can zoom in on Dall Sheep approx 1/2 away? The sheep are always above us and what seems like a hundred yards is really a half mile.

Mr Chin Music......you want to fish Grizzly Lake? Yes...Grizzly lake and it is named that because you won't be the only one fishing. This lake is on the route I am looking at.”
Refrigerator
3:34:45 PM
7/23/08

I just took a picture of Jupiter and its moons with my camera last night. So I think I can get some sheep...but the bad thing that lens weighs around 4lbs and the extenders about 1/2lbs each. I'll consider bringing that lens even though it weighs 2x as much as any one piece of equipment I'm bringing ;-) (except for the camera itself)”

“You are da Man!”